Three bets for Saturday:
1- Del Potro to beat Federer @ 5/6. DelPo is a significant cut above Federer these days. After the first set v Nole on Thursday Delpo crushed it off both wings and his recent loss to Fed in Paris was a little gift in my opinion. I think it will be Delpo in straights and the 5/6 match bet is a max bet
2- Del Potro outright 14/1 Boyles is a cod of a price. Delpo beats Fed he plays Rafa in the semis, who, despite being 3 of 3 so far has not impressed me all that much - dropped a breadstick set to Berdych and was pushed to two breakers by Stan. Need I remind you what Delpo did to Rafa in Shanghai three weeks ago? I can guarantee you one thing - Nadal is cheering for Federer tomorrow in a big way. Delpo will be about a 7/4 shot or shorter to beat Rafa and at that stage your 14/1 is looking good. Standout best price by a mile - it's nines everywhere else.
3- One from left-field here but I am convinced Gasquet has a SERIOUS chance to beat Nole tomorrow. He is 12.00 on Betfair or 9/1 on the high street. I watched Gasquet practice today at the O2 and it looked very intensive and not the practice of a guy going home with his tail between his legs. That, however, is a mere side-note and not the reason for this tip. The reason for this tip is because the price is hugely wrong in my opinion and there is a more than decent chance of this coming off. Djokovic has already secured top spot in the group which means he has nothing to play for except an extra few bob and he plays the semi finals v Wawrinka on Sunday. So, the fact that this Gasquet match is a dead rubber and is scheduled for 8.00pm on Saturday puts Djokovic's effort levels into serious doubt for me. Djokovic is well aware that Rafa Nadal is at home with his feet up with an extra 24 hours rest while Djok will have to play three days in succession to get the title here. What Nole needs tomorrow is a day off. The next best thing is to get his match done in about an hour or less. Djokovic doesn't need this match, doesn't need this win, might not mind letting Richard have it. I can genuinely see Novak's game plan being to swing for the fences, serve and volley, no rallies longer than a few shots in order to save energy for Stan Wawrinka on Sunday. Wawrinka has extended Djokovic to 5 full sets in two grand slams this year so Nole can lose that one. He knows it. Gasquet has a chance to steal an unlikely victory here. 12.00 could be the bet of the year. We will know after a about 4 points.
